ennine Link PMagazine of the Society

Issue 182 Summer 2013 Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd Registered in England No. 1498800 Registered Charity No. 510201 Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 08.30 -16.30 Friday 08.30 -13.30 Telephone: 01457 871800 EMail: [email protected] Website: www.huddersfieldcanal.com Patrons: Timothy West & Prunella Scales Council of Management Alan Stopher 101 Birkby Hall Road, Birkby, Huddersfield, Chairman West Yorkshire, HD2 2XE Tel: 01484 511499 Trevor Ellis 20 Batley Avenue, Marsh, Huddersfield, Vice-Chairman West Yorkshire, HD1 4NA Tel: 01484 534666 Mike McHugh HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Treasurer Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 John Fryer Ramsdens Solicitors LLP, Oakley House, Company Secretary 1 Hungerford Road, Edgerton, Huddersfield, HD3 3AL Patricia Bayley 17 Greenroyd Croft, Birkby Hall Road, Huddersfield, Council Member West Yorkshire, HD2 2DQ Graham Birch HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Council Member Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 Keith Noble The Dene, Triangle, Sowerby Bridge, Council Member West Yorkshire, HX6 3EA Tel: 01422 823562 Peter Rawson HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Council Member Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 David Sumner MBE 4 Whiteoak Close, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 6NT President Tel: 0161 449 9084 Keith Sykes 1 Follingworth, Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, HD7 5XD Council Member Tel: 01484 841519 Vince Willey 23 Regent Drive, Mossley, Ashton-u-Lyne, Council Member Lancashire, OL5 9NZ Tel: 01457 871800 Eric Woulds HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Council Member Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 Tony Zajac HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Council Member Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800

NON-COUNCIL POSTS The 2012 Accounts for Huddersfield Claire Bebbington Marketing Officer Canal Society Limited are now ready Bob Gough Administrator to view online. Go to our website and see the Members’ Area at the foot of the page.

The views expressed in Pennine Link are not necessarily those of Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd 2 - Pennine Link ennine Link P Issue 182

enjoy boating, doing practical jobs, telling other people about our or just Do you wandering along the canal? If any of these takes your fancy the Society is looking for volunteers to: • Staff our water taxi at Tunnel End, Marsden • Manage the boat crews • Join our regular work parties on greasing the lock gear, litter-picking and trimming vegetation along the towpath • Join an occasional team to staff a Canal Society stall at events such as local festivals • Adopt a length of canal - this is a new approach to keeping a regular eye on a kilometre of canal and recording a wide range of information - guidance will be given

If you would like to know more about any of these opportunities please contact Bob or Claire in the office.

Editorial 4 Festival 24 Chairman’s Report 6 Town Team 25 Canal & River Trust Update 9 Museums & Attractions 26 Profile - Eric Woulds 12 Cottages 30th Anniversary 28 Jidoku 27 18 Obituary - Geoff Ali 29 Bridge Plates on the Broad 19 Street Scene Greenfield Group 30 J. & E. Morton, Milnsbridge 20 Standedge & The Loft Space 31

Cover: The Cottages at Tunnel End, Marsden, heading for a 30 year anniversary! Photo: Bob Gough

Pennine Link - 3 Editorial At our May Council However our experience, it has to meeting, we invited be said, was that their reception was my colleague on frequently less than welcoming. the and However, we are now in a new era. Pennine Waterway The CRT is a charity and as such it is Partnership, actively seeking to engage with and Jon Stopp, to looking for the support of the wider attend and to talk to us about his work world. Moreover, its structure requires with Canal & River Trust (CRT) in the volunteers, through the National and field of volunteering and community Regional Partnerships, to play a central engagement. As well as serving on role in its governance. As a result we are, the Partnership, Jon has the title of I believe, witnessing a sea change in the the CRT’s ‘Adoption Inspirer’. His Trust’s approach to volunteering. role, he explained, is to be “an all- round ambassador for the Trust and for It was this new approach that was set out volunteering”. for us by Jon in his presentation. He explained that his main focus was on Volunteering is, nowadays, very the development of the CRT’s Observers much an integral part of our national of Waterway Lengths (OWL) scheme. life and volunteers are welcomed This innovative scheme is designed and encouraged in many types of to increase public involvement and organisation. Jon’s presentation, and produce feedback for the maintenance the subsequent discussion, has led me programme. to reflect further on the subject and how HCS volunteers might, in future, engage It is being piloted on the fruitfully with the CRT. and involves individuals or groups ‘taking responsibility for’ one kilometre lengths Our Society has, of course, a long and of canal. Their involvement does not proud tradition of volunteering. The include the undertaking of physical impetus for restoration came from work; rather it involves taking on the the physical efforts, commitment and role of being the eyes and ears of the enthusiasm of our Society members; all CRT for their chosen length. The people volunteers. Today our work team, our recruited will be local to that section boat crews and the officers and members and are likely to be those who walk the of Council, again all volunteers, are towpath as a regular feature of their daily the ambassadors for the Society and lives; such as walking to work or to the our waterways. Moreover, they now shops, taking children to school or simply have the key role of holding the CRT walking for pleasure and exercise. to account for their stewardship of our canals’ operation and maintenance. Jon explained that CRT do have Lengthsmen whose task it is to inspect Historically, was not designated lengths of canal with a blind to the benefits to be gained from particular remit for issues of safety. engaging and working with volunteers.

4 - Pennine Link Such inspections are carried out every • Parish Councils 28 days, which means a problem can go • Resident Associations unreported for almost month, by which Once established, a group will be invited time a minor problem may have become to engage in an Adopter Volunteer a major one, before it is identified. Agreement with the CRT. The role of the OWLs is to observe their Jon explained that his title of “Adoption length at least weekly and to report Inspirer” derived from the CRT’s desire problems with the waterway and the to promote this process, the ultimate aim towpath to the CRT so that action can of which is to increase local ownership, be prioritised. Moreover it’s about build relationships with the CRT at a more than just replicating the role of local level and give local communities a the Lengthsman because it’s also about say in their local waterway. wildlife and the environment as much as it is about tidying the towpaths. To assist It is clear to me that the new CRT era with their observations, a spreadsheet is bringing with it a new and more is available detailing the things for the positive approach to volunteering and OWLs to look out for. that the initiatives to engage with local communities have support at senior Having become involved as OWLs, levels within the CRT both nationally and Jon explained that people/groups often regionally. wish then to increase their involvement by assisting with the remediation In this climate, it seems to me that an and improvements which they have opportunity exists for our Society to work identified. This feeds neatly into the with CRT to introduce both OWL and CRT’s Community Adoption Programme. Community Adoption schemes on our canals. For example, we have our own This programme, which does involve membership, amongst who there may hands on work, recognises the desire of be people who may be keen to become local communities to make a difference an OWL for their local section of canal. to their local area. It entails local We also have good links with community businesses and/or community/interest organisations in all three Local Authority groups formally ‘adopting’ a nearby areas and through these we have the stretch of canal or river and playing facility to reach groups who may wish to a central role in maintenance and become involved in their locality. improvement of facilities and promoting it to their communities. Furthermore, when the local eyes and ears are in place, we will need a capacity Adopters work with the CRT to make to receive the feedback and channel it improvements to their local waterway to the CRT. Jon has taken on this role for for the benefit of local people and all the Rochdale Canal and has indicated waterway users. The groups could be: that he would be willing to assist with • Local businesses setting up a scheme on our canal. • Community groups e.g. However, it would appear this is a role Environmental societies or waterway HCS could fulfil once the scheme is up interest organisations and running. To do so, I believe, would

Pennine Link - 5 have the benefit, on the one hand, of In conclusion, I must stress that these are giving us a clear channel for dialogue my own views and that decisions will rest with CRT on matters relating to the with Council in close consultation with maintenance of the canals and the those who already make an invaluable quality of the canal environment. contribution to the Society and the On the other hand, it would put us Canals through their volunteering activity. in touch with individuals and groups And finally, as a write this piece at the within the local canal-side communities end of May, I am looking out on yet providing an opportunity to promote another damp and somewhat cheerless ourselves and activities and to grow the day. Surely the weather gods must bring Society in accordance with the objectives us something better than we experienced of our five year Business Plan. last year. Nevertheless, whatever the We could perhaps, as a Society, consider weather and in whatever way you chose adopting one (or more) sections of canal to enjoy the waterways – afloat or on as a means of focusing the activities of foot – make the most of Summer 2013. our work team and setting an example Graham Birch for other groups who may wish to take on similar roles.

Chairman’s Report

After all the effort Questions have been asked about why put in by CRT to the Canal & River Trust’s prioritisation of complete their urgent maintenance tasks failed to pick planned Winter up the poor state of Lock 32W bottom maintenance work gate and also why the protracted process in good time, it to remove the failed gate took so long. was a shame that A similar early season disruption to the cruising season on the Huddersfield traffic on the nearby Calder & Hebble Narrow had a delayed start following was caused by the failure of top gates at the late discovery of a rotten gate post Shepley Bridge which meant closure for on Lock 32W at the top of the Diggle 3 weeks while matching replacements Flight. Access issues meant the time were made at Stanley Ferry. I’m sure taken to retrieve the old gate was lengthy that CRT Management will be keen to and the stoppage resulted in a delay of learn from these occurrences and to 4 weeks in the start of passages through improve their systems of detection of Standedge Tunnel. With the Society’s incipient failure. We can sympathise. Marsden Shuttle stranded on the West Managing a 200 year old asset is full of side following its engine service and hull challenges and there has been much blacking at Portland Basin Marina, HCS’s deserved credit given to the new presence at the Standedge Visitor Centre Trust for successfully responded to the was curtailed during the usually busy catastrophic embankment failure at Easter holiday. Dutton on the Trent and Mersey by

6 - Pennine Link reconstructing the section and reopening and bank holidays. Your Council is the canal in early May this year at a cost aware that there are still a number of of £2m. outstanding items requiring attention, but have been assured that the boat is No sooner had the Society found sufficiently sound to operate through this the right person to take on the Boat season, pending further work. Coordinator role, than we learnt of the tragic death of the new incumbent, Congratulations go to HCS Council Geoffrey Ali. It has been a difficult and member Patricia Bayley for becoming a sad time for Geoff’s family and friends member of the Museums & Attractions and it was particularly thoughtful of the Partnership. Her particular knowledge family to dedicate the retiring collection of the Standedge Visitor Centre and its at Geoff’s funeral to the Huddersfield locality, and business and marketing skills Canal Society in recognition of the will be beneficial in guiding the strategy pleasure he gained from working with for the Canal & River Trust’s portfolio colleagues on the Marsden Shuttle. of visitor attractions and museums and An appreciation of Geoff’s contribution helping to ensure our visitor centre appears elsewhere in this edition. Our develops successfully. Tricia sets out her thoughts are with his nearest and dearest. thoughts on museums and attractions elsewhere in this edition. On a lighter note, the bridge plates have at last been fixed along the Huddersfield HCS has initiated a new Steering Group Broad Canal, testament to Trevor Ellis’s with CRT colleagues to develop the tenacity in seeing the job through. Standedge Visitor Centre. One aim will be to jointly involve volunteers Our volunteer work parties have in an expanded range of activities. continued when weather permits and Another will be to ensure that new have recently focussed on litter picking, interpretation boards fully explain about tree pruning and lock gear greasing on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal as well the West side working down from Diggle as the amazing story of the Standedge towards Mossley. For family reasons, Tunnel. The Centre Manager, James Trevor has not been able to lead with Dean, has secured funding for some new the physical activities recently and my museum quality display cabinets and we thanks go to those who have temporarily have already started to help to identify stepped up their involvement with real artefacts with a local link to go in the maintenance work. We are always on cabinets. New this year is a completely the look-out for members to join this refurbished and expanded kitchen so team, particularly those who live in the meals as well as snacks can be enjoyed in Tame Valley, as most of our volunteers the splendid Tunnel End setting. are Huddersfield based. During the push for restoration, the A big thank you goes to Tony Zajac for HCS caravan, staffed by volunteers, taking on the Boat Coordinator role at was present at a wide range of canal short notice. The Marsden Shuttle is and local festivals to drum up support. our flagship in a number of ways and Nowadays, our Society is unusual I’m pleased that we have enthusiastic amongst canal societies in promoting and crew members to staff it at weekends

Pennine Link - 7 supporting maintenance of a functioning the application to reuse the huge Globe canal. In order to bring our role to a new Mill for a range of uses which will bring audience, we have taken a conscious good quality jobs to the area. Central to decision to dust down our gazebo and the proposal is the retention of the mill attend some local rallies on a selective structure and use as a development site basis. I’m pleased to say that Tricia for new high-tech businesses. Bayley and Peter Smart flew the HCS flag A new footbridge will link across to the at the pirate-themed South Pennine Boat main street giving sufficient clearance Club rally at Battyeford on the Calder for boats but details are awaited about & Hebble Navigation on 4th May. This the type of construction. Following rally takes place only 2 miles from the careful consideration, we have objected end of the Huddersfield Broad. Held to the application on behalf of Aldi every other year, it is very well run and for demolition of the derelict Colne brings in hundreds of local people as well Mills and replacement with a new as engaging the club’s boaters, many of supermarket. We feel that the view from whom venture onto our canals. the towpath will be impaired by the A good day was had by all. We’re keen proposed flat roof box shaped structure to expand the number of our members which would use materials which we feel who can help at such events so please are not in keeping with the conservation contact Bob or Claire if you would like to area. We will be watching how both go on the list of helpers. The year long applications progress and commenting as South Pennine Waterways appropriate. festival has core events from 27th July to Looking further ahead the Society 4th August 2013 and we will have a team has been represented at the recent running a Treasure Hunt on the canal at Manchester & Pennine Waterways Stalybridge on 4th August. Partnership Annual Conference held Graham Birch’s editorial goes into some at the Lowry in Salford. During the detail to explain the CRT’s new approach morning, post-graduate students from to adoption of lengths of canal by local Liverpool University gave succinct residents. Your Council is keen for HCS feedback on the findings of their projects to be involved and a team will soon to tackle some specific areas along the be established to plan how to do this Manchester and Pennine Canals. I was effectively without duplication of effort. impressed by the way that the students Watch this space for more news. had grasped the key points of how to integrate Marsden with the Standedge The Huddersfield Canal Society has an Visitor Centre and provided a vision as important role in supporting sustainable to how to promote the visitor economy development along our canals. in the area. Another team rose to the It is essential to see new employment challenge of sustainable development opportunities emerge which enhance along the Ashton and HNC between our environment. Two current planning Droylsden and Stalybridge. applications at Slaithwaite will have a major impact on the heritage and The main part of the conference was a future development of this waterside consultation on the M & P Waterways community. The Society has supported Partnerships ‘Manifesto’ for the next

8 - Pennine Link 10 years. The Partnership, led by the Our canal’s route through the Colne and Chair Professor Walter Menzies, is clearly Tame Valleys is a wonderful corridor for keen to engage widely as it develops human relaxation and enjoyment and for its priorities and your Society has an wildlife. I hope many of you will be able important role in putting its views across. to get out and about along the route in Various comments have been forwarded the Summer months and if you feel like on the Society’s behalf to ensure the recording things that need attention or document is comprehensive. improvement, please note them down and send them into the office. Returning from a trip to visit my eldest son in South Korea, I was struck by how Alan Stopher green the UK is in early Summer. Chairman

Canal & River Trust Update In my update in As well as discussing the Manifesto and our Spring edition, plans for the conference, we received I reported that the and were taken through the Manchester main focus of the and Pennine Business Plan 2013/14 – Manchester and 2015/16. This was a timely reminder Pennine Group’s that, whilst as a Partnership, through our work was on the Manifesto, we are looking at a timescale production of our Strategic Waterway of ten years and beyond, the CRT has Plan and the preparations for our a huge task in carrying out the day to planned Spring Conference. day operation and maintenance of the network. As I write this further update, I am pleased to be able to report that: At the conclusion of the meeting our host Nigel Stephens organised a visit to see • The Plan - our Manifesto - is now and transit through the spectacular Tuel in the public domain - having been Lane Lock on the Rochdale Canal. produced as a consultation draft in time for the Conference. In the weeks following this meeting, work continued on planning for the • Our first annual conference - conference and finalising the Manifesto. featuring the launch of the Manifesto This involved a number of ad hoc - took place at Salford’s prestigious meetings and a large volume of e-mail Lowry Centre on May 13th and traffic to exchange ideas, views and proved to be a great success. comments on the emerging document. Moving back a couple of months, In addition, we were all filmed and however, I can report that our second interviewed to create a “vox pop” Partnership Business meeting of the collation to be shown at the conference. year took place on March 14th and was May 13th eventually dawned and we hosted by Shire Cruisers at their Sowerby gathered at the Lowry for the big day. Bridge headquarters. The conference itself took place in the

Pennine Link - 9 afternoon, but for Partnership members Without exception, the presentations, there was also an important event in the which were being marked as part of the morning. This was the culmination of degree assessment, were of a very high the project which we have undertaken standard and we all agreed that it had in partnership with the University of been a fascinating and hugely worthwhile Liverpool Department of Civic Design. project. As part of their degree course the Of particular interest, of course, students had been tasked with was the work of the Marsden and “contributing to the development of the “Tameside Corridor” groups. The Manchester and Pennine Waterways former looked at how the village of Plan by preparing a series of action Marsden could be better related to our plans providing ‘Windows on the canal and the Tunnel End complex. Waterways’ in 2030 which illustrate their The latter examined the potential of potential to contribute to the sustainable the Huddersfield Narrow and Ashton development in the Region”. A total Canals to be a catalyst for regeneration of eight locations through the Region of the towns of Stalybridge, Ashton and had been selected for this purpose of Droylsden. These two groups have been which two were on our own canal i.e. invited, and have agreed, to submit a Stalybridge and Marsden. summary of their projects for publication in a future edition of Pennine Link. On the day, each of the student groups was allocated a slot of no more than ten By two o’clock, the 150 guests booked in minutes. The task was to present their for the conference, had arrived and were findings to an audience of their tutors, welcomed by our Chair, Walter Menzies. Manchester and Pennine Partnership He introduced the draft Manifesto (below) members and invited guests: comprising and explained that it was laid out as a those who had provided local input and workbook with space to write comments advice during the project. and ideas on the content and format.

Our canals and rivers are a national The Manchester and Pennine Partnership Vision treasure. Running through, past, over and under the places we live, work and play, We fully support the national vision, We have reflected those differences they are an enduring link to the past that mission and purpose. We also recognise in separate and specific visions for our It’s time to protect that the canal networks were built for three distinct network areas. These more offers exciting potential for the future. industrial and commercial purposes focused visions respect what has evolved and over time they have been absorbed over time and give us a platform on which and integrated into their particular local to enhance the multiple benefits that the our canals and rivers. As guardian for this precious resource, settings and geography. canals can bring in the future. the Canal & River Trust is committed to a The canals of Manchester, Cheshire and They provide a simple signpost of what the flow through a diverse we are seeking to achieve and indicate sustainable and evolving canal and river spectrum of localities; from dense major how the canal network can make a major It’s time to inspire and network that Weis accessible need to and your cherished urban conurbations, regional towns and contribution to the aims and aspirations villages, through to open countryside of the many other bodies seeking to by all. that varies from tranquil to wild and improve the quality of life of the region. thoughts and ideas...dramatic. As such the impact they have We will use these visions as part of our excite. It’s time to put on the local economy, the landscape, the process for engaging with that wide It’s time to protect our canals and rivers. environment and the quality of life of the variety of regional stakeholders and It’s time to inspire and excite. It’s time people living in the region also varies will seek to work with them to develop in scope and scale depending on the measurable indicators on which we can to put our waterways at the heart of setting through which they flow. judge our joint success. our waterways at the everyday life. Manchester The canals of Greater Manchester will play a recognised, heart of everyday life. valuable and integral part of city living – making a significant contribution to the economy and quality of the life of the city. The Our vision National A sustainable and evolving canal and river network that Cheshire Principles Picture is a national treasure – accessible to and cherished by all. The canals of Cheshire will continue to provide tranquil This is the draft of our retreats and flourishing eco-systems whilst enhancing the Our purpose vibrancy and economies of the communitiesto stand through which by To act as guardian for the canals and rivers of they flow. England and Wales – ensuring that history, nature and communities are central to everything we do. Pennines manifesto but now we The canals of the Pennines will make an on-going significant Vision and ambition Evidence Our mission contribution to the inspirational landscape and industrial To inspire people to connect with our canals and rivers. heritage of the area. They will continueWe aim to forsupport the highest flourishing common factor In these times of austerity we need We will do this by: eco-systems whilst enhancing therather vibrancy than and lowest economies common of denominator. credible economic evidence for anything need your thoughts • Being passionate about what we do the communities through which theyWe flow.need bold, visionary ideas – ‘good we do, in the language of economics, • Encouraging those with an interest enough’ isn’t good enough, what would growth and enterprise. in our work to become part of it truly outstanding or genuinely ground- • Reaching out to those who have Our partnership members are volunteers who work verybreaking closely look like? Leverage yet to discover this national treasure with the executive team. The whole group meets every two Waterways are assets to be maintained, and ideas... • Ensuring our financial security. months, but they work on specific topics as and when it’s Sustainable development discovered and treasured. We must needed. The Partnership supports The Trust through leadership, Our guidance, planning and partnership working to championIt’s about sustainability. It’s about and find new ways of leveraging resources, enhance our waterways. economic, social and environmental whether that’s people or money. change. It’s about connectivity. waterways Stakeholders Waterways are elements in a very much bigger picture and we must replace We must encourage ownership by our vicious circles with virtuous circles. stakeholders, and we must encourage challenges from our economic, social Name and job title Scope Key and environmental stakeholders. It’s also worth keeping in mind that, for successful Geographically we work at every scale, engagement, we should work with the from Manchester and The Pennine grain of other people’s priorities. Ring down to the super local, such as Huddersfield Narrow Canal helping the local community in Disley, Flexibility Cheshire to improve their towpaths.Manchester, Our Bolton & Bury Canal Organisation and address waterways also embrace a wholeRochdale range CanalThis is not about set in our ways or of functions and potential functionsTrent –& Merseykeeping Canal a closed mind – we must be economic assets, cultural spaces,Other city Trust Waterwaysopportunistic and pragmatic in order Sowerby cooling corridors, transport infrastructure,Non-Trust Waterways to achieve real results on the ground. opportunities for health improvement,Coastal Gateway Bridge “ Imagination tourism destinations and so on… Communications Rochdale Timescales We’re telling a story of the waterways: its is more important past, present and future. It goes without Email We are planning for the next ten years saying that everythingBolton we communicate Bury and we recognise the need to think needs to be inspiring and compelling. Huddersfield than knowledge – long term. In some cases, such as Data protection* climate change adaptation, that could Standedge mean looking 200+ years ahead. We Tunnel Salford knowledge is limited.” also need immediate action and ‘shovel Quays ready’ programmes in place to attract Albert Einstein future funding. Manchester

Runcorn

Marple

Bugsworth Anderton Basin Boat Lift

Macclesfield

Northwich Manchester and Pennine Congleton Kidsgrove Middlewich

Waterways Partnership Stoke-on-Trent

10 - Pennine Link He further explained that the aim of the the document becomes available via the Manifesto was to seek to create a vehicle Internet, I will provide details in Pennine for the Partnership to engage with all Link Extra. sections of the community, to increase Finally, there are two other items of CRT accessibility and to inspire more people related news that need to be included. to recognise the value of the waterways. First, I was pleased to learn that my Following this introduction, the first part colleague on HCS Council, Patricia of the event comprised a series of short Bailey, has been invited to join the presentations, including one by Vince new CRT Museums and Attractions Moran, the Operations Director at CRT, Partnership. This group will be on the widely publicised breach on responsible for the Standedge Visitor the . We then Centre (amongst other attractions) and moved on to a panel discussion in which it will be good to have her voice at the a variety of questions covering a wide table. range of topics were addressed by the panel members. Second, as you may already know, the new CRT Chief Executive has been The final and most important part of appointed. His name is Richard Parry the afternoon was the discussion of and he will be taking up his post in the Manifesto. Everyone present had July, following the retirement of Robin been provided with a copy and it was Evans. He comes to the CRT from First emphasised that it was very much a Group where he has been a senior draft on which those present were being manager in First’s rail business. Prior to consulted. On arrival, the audience had that, he worked for 19 years for London been split in groups of about ten and Underground and subsequently Transport allocated to a table. Each Manchester for London, where he held a number of and Pennine member was also allocated senior positions in the management of to a table and was asked to chair a London’s rail network. discussion on the document amongst the Graham Birch group. Trustee, Manchester and Pennine The annotated copies of the workbook Waterways Partnership were then collected at the end of the afternoon. However, for those who wanted more time to think about their responses, a dedicated e-mail address was provided to which additional comments could be submitted. As I write, the responses have been collated and the Manifesto is being re- drafted with the aim of presenting it in its revised form to the Partnership in early July. I will report further on the final document in our next edition of Pennine CRT Chief Executive, Richard Parry; now with boats, Link, but in the meantime, as and when rather than trains, on his shoulders.

Pennine Link - 11 Profile - Eric Woulds A series of Pofiles where Council Members, in their own words, tell of their involvement with the Huddersfield Canals and the Society. We begin with newly appointed Eric Woulds. Back on the cut again…… In 1985, while I was happily working at Kirklees Planning in Development Control (planning applications), I was told that I was being transferred to the Improvement Team. My knowledge of the work carried out in the section at the time was restricted to their efforts in stone cleaning and counting how many people shopped in Huddersfield so I was less than impressed. However, when I got there, to planning was in finding sites and dealing I discovered that, amongst other things, with planning issues for the occasional I was also taking over the embryonic silt dump. Somehow, after the machines job of Project Officer for the Manpower had moved in to set them up they never Services Commission (MSC) Narrow Canal looked the same as they did on the plans, restoration scheme. As I already had quite but I wasn’t going to say anything. an interest in the recreational value of A lot of the important work happened canals (space doesn’t permit the story of at the British Waterways Offices at Dock the and the epic journey Street in Leeds. Regular liaison meetings in 1982 to Ellesmere which involved 30 were held there and I was given the job pints of home brew followed by a late of taking the Minutes. Anyone who dash to the pub), things were looking up attended these will recall the legendary on the work front. lunches. Many agreements were made in The next 6 years or so were probably this hospitable environment, particularly the best of my 36 at Kirklees. I was part after lunch, which were duly recorded. of a closely-knit team of people who We may have lost out on the infamous were tasked with restoring as much of hydraulic lock gear saga but I can happily the ‘track’ (as British Waterways liked to say that what we lost on the ‘swings’ call it) as was practical, and within the we often more than made up for on the budget that was mainly extracted from ‘roundabouts’. the MSC. My training as a planner was There were many ‘inspection’ trips into largely redundant during the time I spent Standedge Tunnel, and after signing working on the canal. However new your life away (literally) and donning the skills, like buying vans, moving rare plants, appropriate protective clothing we were finding alleged otters (mink, actually) soon driving down the disused single rail and organising canal festivals were soon tunnel, then sliding down muddy adits acquired. About the only time I reverted into the flat-bottomed inspection boat to

12 - Pennine Link check the condition of the Tunnel at some reason. If these are people who live point or other. It was always fun when nearby and are there regularly then they we got to a blockage, as someone had to have a vested interest in looking after get out of the boat in chest waders and everything about the canal environment lever it across. Needless to say, I never that makes them go there in the first place. volunteered to wear the chest waders. I’m interested in gaining support for a local stewardship scheme, as pioneered on the After almost 6 years of having a daily Rochdale Canal. There are already many enthusiastic diet of wash-walls and established community organisations in towpaths, lock gates and chambers, and the Colne Valley, and it may just be a case more silt than perhaps was good for me of tapping into these. However, there’s the funding, unlike the canal, was starting some work there to be done so I’ll see to dry up. However my last year was what can be achieved. spent in looking to the future and it was at this time the first leisure study was I should add that when I’m not actively commissioned by Kirklees to outline the engaged on HCS business, or ‘pottering’ economic value of full restoration. Plans (something retired people appear to make were also drawn for the re-instatement a profession of) I tend to be found doing of the channel through the Huddersfield something with ridiculously large, heavy blockages, and through Slaithwaite and over complicated musical instruments. town centre. We had an exhibition at I also have Huddersfield Narrow Canal Slaithwaite Library where the plans were to blame for my affiliation with Morris on display. Not many people came, and dancers, but that’s another story. those who did departed with a wry smile Eric Woulds on their faces saying something like ‘it’ll never happen …’ It was time for me to move on and canals gradually disappeared from my working life. I did however make a promise to someone that I’d be back if I thought I could do something to help. Having retired from the daily grind in 2010, I now have both the time and the inclination, and the HCS Council of Management have graciously agreed to let me loose on the canal once again. My particular interest is along the lines of local ‘ownership’. Whilst CRT priorities are naturally of an engineering nature, the quality of the environment is probably of high importance to most users. Canals in particular are fairly unique in that the majority of users aren’t there to fulfil the primary purpose – apparently only 7% of users are navigating the wet bit so it follows that 93% are there for some other Cover boy Eric, far right, though not politically!

Pennine Link - 13 CLOGGER’S COTTAGE Canalside holiday cottage for two in Saddleworth

Spring Gardens Contact: Peter or Judith Moorgate Street 01457 878361 Uppermill OL3 6DF www.uppermillcottage.co.uk

* A superb location beside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal * Convenient for all village amenities * Owned by canal enthusiast & HCS member

Huddersfield Central Lodge Guest House, Huddersfield

11-15 Beast Market T: 01484 515551 Huddersfield E: [email protected] HD1 1QF W: www.centrallodge.com

Award Winning Guest House in the Heart of Huddersfield Town Centre

Swapping the Classroom for a Tearoom! Stalybridge Mum swapped the classroom for a tearoom offering traditional tea, homemade baking, scones, soup of the day & meals.

Located in the heart of Stalybridge, a mere scones throw away from the Huddersfield Narrow, with thirsty and hungry boaters passing nearby, it’s too good an opportunity to miss.

The twist comes from the Mediterranean influence offering Meze Brunch as well as evening meals and occasional event evenings, usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Why not pop down for a bit of sunshine and friendly atmosphere; go on spoil yourself. After all, you deserve it!

16 - Pennine Link 1 Princes Place Armentières Square Stalybridge SK15 2BR 07814 109536

“Absolutely beautiful! Such a lovely, light sponge!” Pat “OMG, those lovely little chocolate truffles are the best thing ever to grace my mouth” Katie Butterworth “Tasted like a little ball of chocolaty heaven - can I come and live with you?” Emily Gellard

Traditional English Tea with a Mediterranean Twist homemade cakes, hot soup & meals available all day

Pennine Link - 17 JIDOKU 27 SHG KL CA B T CABG KG GACK B T AS C L H A K

The grid represents our waterways; and the nine letters are all canals within the Canal & River Trust. The initial letters featured being: Trent & Mersey, Birmingham & Fazeley, Huddersfield Narrow, Leeds & Liverpool, Grand Union, Stratford, Coventry, Kennet & Avon, Ashton. Fill in the missing blanks using these initial letters, bearing in mind that each 3x3 block can only have one of each canal and there must be no duplication in horizontal rows or vertical columns.

18 - Pennine Link Bridge Plates - The Saga (almost) Over Members may recall that one of the Then, in April, Steve Cooper from the initiatives that the Society took on when Canal and River Trust came on the the canal was restored was to provide scene. Apparently he had been involved Bridge Number Plates, based on the with the plates on the Narrow and very original design, for every bridge on quickly arranged for the plates that we the Narrow Canal. I think it would be had supplied all that time ago to be about 2006-7 when the programme fitted. There remain a handful of bridges sprang into action and BW (as they then to resolve – the footbridge at Deighton, were) installed plates as fast as we could soon to be plated as Bridge 7, and the produce them. It seemed like a good footbridge at Aspley Basin, which we idea at the time to provide plates for the hope to arrange shortly. There is also Broad Canal, as this had been included an issue about the main University in the original numbering scheme. These footbridge, which apparently had were duly produced, but there the plates fitted but which has since been matter stopped. refurbished and no longer carries them. For the past several years we have Many thanks to Steve and his colleagues been trying to find out why nothing at CRT who have helped to bring about happened. It transpired that the problem a conclusion. This is a good example of was that BW would need to apply for the way in which the Society can work Listed Building consent for 8 bridges with the new body and, hopefully, bodes and Historic Monument clearance for well for the future. Turnbridge. There the matter rested until Trevor Ellis a meeting took place at which we, the Canal Society, agreed to apply on their behalf. Finally, just before Christmas, Plate No 9 on Annis Lee eight identical envelopes – all stamped Bridge at the tail of Lock 6E, First Class – hit my doormat. . Trevor Ellis Trevor

Pennine Link - 19 J. & E. Morton, Milnsbridge Trevor Ellis continues the history of some took over supplying gas from these small of the Canals’ early carriers. local plants and it would only be after electricity became more widespread that J. & E. Morton were tar distillers and demand for gas stabilised. This would chemical processors with a works in explain the building of new boats by Milnsbridge, close to the . Mortons as late as the early twentieth Morton’s in Milnsbridge was an offshoot century. from a pottery business that was long- In the 1900 Huddersfield Directory, established at Salendine Nook in Edmund Morton of Quarmby is listed Huddersfield. That business was started under “Manufacturing Chemists” and has by refugees from Scotland around the premises at Pollard Street (then under time of Queen Elizabeth, who were Longwood) just on the other side of the potters by trade and developed into River Colne to Tanyard Road and the miners of the local fireclay and coal. canal basin. The London Gazette has The clay also contained a high an entry for 20/04/1906, dissolving a percentage of alumina (see The Mining partnership between Edmund Morton, Industry of Huddersfield, Wray). Frederick Morton and Frederick Morton From this they apparently started with the Younger, but stating that the latter chemicals at Salendine Nook and later would carry on the business as expanded down to Milnsbridge, though J. & E. Morton. The firm appear in the we do not know at what date. Records Huddersfield Directory for 1909 as of the Milnsbridge business in documents Chemical Manufacturers at Milnsbridge are scarce, possibly because it was a and a Mid Yorkshire Trade Directory subsidiary. of 1910 as Chemical Manufacturers at They appear at first to have received Pollard Street, Milnsbridge, suggesting waste-products for processing from they had premises on both sides of the small local gas plants. The firm are river not listed in local directories for 1876 According to an unpublished work and 1879, but an invoice from J. & E. held in Huddersfield Library “The Gas Morton for the carriage of gas products Adventure and Industry in Slaithwaite” from Edward Fisher & Co, silk spinners, by Golesti, the Slaithwaite Gas Light Longroyd Bridge Mills dated 1883, Company agreed in 1911 to sell all seen at a meeting where a collection of ammoniacal liquors to “F. & C. Morton” letterheads was on display, provides the of Milnsbridge for a period of 7 years. earliest firm date that we have for the As Slaithwaite amalgamated with the Milnsbridge site. Small local gas plants Longwood Gas Company in 1914 and were progressively replaced by larger production in Slaithwaite ended in local authority gas works providing a December 1915, this agreement can not mains supply. Between 1871, when have run its full course. the Huddersfield Council bought out the original, private, gas company, and Frederick Morton of “Chemical Works, 1900, production trebled as the council Milnsbridge”, is listed in 1912 as having

20 - Pennine Link been a member of the Chemical Society, Boats London, since 1893. Mortons are supposed to have operated In 1917 Kelly’s Directory the firm Gleaner which was purchased from continue at the same address. A report Abram Hinchliffe, presumably when he of the finding of the body of a child in gave up carrying on his own account the canal at Fountain Grove in the Colne around 1902. They had Lily built in Valley Guardian of 17/08/1917 mentions 1907 and Florence in 1911 both by that there had been no traffic for three Sephton Bros., Tusses Bridge, Coventry. weeks “on account of a stoppage at Lily was registered as Huddersfield 1 Bradley”, which raises a question about and Florence as Huddersfield 2. It is whether Morton’s had any traffic from not known why Huddersfield became a Huddersfield gasworks at this time. registration authority so late in the day, the Canal Boats Act having been passed They appear in a Huddersfield Directory in 1877. in 1924 and the LMS Wharf listing of 1927 shows firms still using the canal A list of traffic on the canal in 1917 including J. & E. Morton, about whom includes the following:- it gives the following information: “16/5/17: Eleanor John Howe “Chemical Manfrs., Tar Distillers etc. Pool 39 Marsden to Pool 8 Milnsbridge: Works situated near Narrow Canal at Liquors & Tar.” This is the only other Milnsbridge. Traffic consists of tar and Morton boat for which we have a name. ammonia liquor, carried from Sowerby We do not know where Eleanor was Bridge, Elland and Brighouse Gas works, registered, or if it had a cabin rather than situated on the Calder & Hebbly (sic!) operating as a day boat. Navigation. Average monthly tonnage, 273 tons. Firm use General Wharf at A Morton boat was the last working boat Milnsbridge and pay a wharfage charge through Standedge Tunnel in November of 2d per ton. Traffic is unloaded from 1921, being recorded as travelling from the boats by means of a pipe line”. (To Diggle to Marsden. As an isolated trip, this day, the edge of the basin between this is most likely a boat being purchased, the crane base and Tanyard Road is though we can not be absolutely certain partly covered in spilled tar. Interestingly, of the direction as other entries on the even more so is the offside tail of the same pages are known to be reversed. old Lock 3E, leading me to speculate However, it seems most likely to be whether it was used as a loading point at correct as it is the first entry and appears some time.) 273 tons would represent on the right-hand page. (Most errors upwards of 10 loaded boats per month at seem to have occurred when a first entry that date. The final Directory entry that was made, understandably, on the left.) has been traced is for 1931/32 and it is Narrowboat Magazine Spring 2007 has a thought that they operated until 1935. photo from the CRT Archive showing Lily They do not appear in the Huddersfield being built by Sephton Bros., Coventry Directory for 1937. in 1907 and reproduces its registration certificate as Huddersfield 1, which is held in the West Yorkshire Archives.

Pennine Link - 21 The picture clearly shows a short canal in the early 1950’s “Marsden” Huddersfield length narrow boat divided ref RB/1/HM, 57’ long, which we internally into compartments. think “Gleaner” had possibly become, required a new cabin, so possibly the Amongst the images held by HCS is one work was never done! Later pictures which may show Gleaner when the boat show “Marsden” without cabin. Among was 70ft long and belonged to Abram the late Geoff Brown’s papers there was Hinchliffe. The picture shows a party a letter dated 8th November 1987 from from Rock Mission, Turnbridge and is Joseph Boughey to Brent Hinchliffe supposed to be from 1904 (or 1905?). about a record he (Boughey) had seen at The problem is that this does not fit with Stoke Bruerne (presumably now at the information on the 1901 Census, which Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port) of records the boat at Woodside Mill in the boats remaining on the canal in the Elland and suggests that the boat was years between 1949 & 1953. He hoped then short enough to fit the CHN locks. this may help identify the boat that had The origin of the photo is identified as been removed from the canal in 1984. being from Edward (Ned) Hinchliffe It is possible that the boat on the bank and the article then referred to with had been numbered RB/1/HM and was information from Neil Fraser (presumably known as Marsden. What wasn’t as clear he had that from Edward Hinchliffe) is whether that had been Gleaner or referring to the trip as being to and from another boat, possibly one of the others Slaithwaite. Gleaner is also known to bought by the LMS from Morton’s. From have been registered as Mirfield 231, the information he had seen, Boughey which implies that it was short enough to knew that one of these was scrapped in reach Mirfield at the time of registration, 1948, one sunk in 1951 and the third though unfortunately the Register does carried on until 1962. not survive. The possibility is that the photograph is earlier than 1904 as the Geoff Brown had also made a note of boat would then have been owned by a telephone conversation that he had Mortons, rather than Hinchliffe and it with Donald Sykes (ex BW based at could be earlier than 1901. Alternatively Marsden) on 9th February 2000. Donald it is not of Gleaner. confirmed to Geoff that Gleaner was the boat rescued from the canal in 1984 and In the 1913 report of the Medical Officer put on the bankside before it was broken for Health for Huddersfield, from where up and that it was the boat that had we get its registration details, “Gleaner” been used for tunnel trips until 1962. is cited as an unresolved problem due to Donald said that before the last trip into the need for Cabin Painting (the owner is the tunnel, the hull was in such a bad not mentioned). Following the closure of state that “you could have put your foot Mortons, Gleaner was supposed to have through it” and that metal patches were been sold to the LMS as a maintenance added. After the trip the boat was partly boat and later used in the Standedge broken up and sunk. Measurements Tunnel. Then, it was unnamed, taken on the bank by Geoff Brown but sometimes known as Marsden. and Neil Fraser suggested that Gleaner/ Interestingly, in a letter from Neil Fraser Marsden was slightly over 60ft. long, so about the maintenance boats on the

22 - Pennine Link presumably of the maximum length that John Howe had appeared in the 1891 would fit diagonally in the CHN locks. Census as a “Boater” (aged 28, born Huddersfield) at Kilners Buildings, The Standedge Tunnel register of Longroyd Bridge (now a garage forecourt passages from September 1874 to August by Lock 4E on the Narrow Canal), 1937 (originally at Tunnel End, now at before appearing in the 1901 Census the Waterways Museum) records only 5 at Woodside Mills, Elland on “Gleanor” passages by Morton boats, only one of (now giving his age as 36). In 1911 he which seems to be a return: was living at Tanyard Road, Milnsbridge, On 28th May 1903: 1 passage from very close to Mortons, but described Marsden to Diggle, followed on 9th. as “General Labourer”. He appears as June 1903 by a passage from Diggle to Master of “Eleanor” and “Lily” for J. & E. Marsden. This could possibly be a boat Morton in these toll records for 1917, so movement for repair or maintenance, may well have accompanied Hinchliffe in possibly at Woolroad? his move to that company. On 29th. September 1907, one passage From other evidence we have, it appears from Diggle to Marsden, presumably the as though any trips loading at the town arrival of Lily as a new boat – registered gas works between Sowerby Bridge & at Huddersfield 7th October 1907. Milnsbridge were not accounted for On 26th. September 1911, one passage on the 1917 list, possibly because they from Diggle to Marsden, presumably would have been recorded for tolls paid the arrival of Florence – registered at at Cooper Bridge and those records Huddersfield 9th October 1911. were kept elsewhere. The Registration certificate for Lily specifies “Sowerby On 6th November 1921 a passage from Bridge, Halifax and Marsden” as the Diggle to Marsden, the last recorded “route on which the boat is intended to working boat through the tunnel. ply”. The one for Florence omits Halifax. This may be another boat purchase. (Unfortunately by this date, passages When Mortons closed in 1935, at least are so few that the double page spread some of their boats were sold to LMS as covers from 1920 to the end of recording maintenance craft, though Neil Fraser in 1941 and we do know that the in his extracts from the local press passages of the “Success”, the last boat mentioned that three were purchased by recorded, in 1937, are reversed.) Poppletons of Deighton (we have not yet traced the source). A letter from Joseph As mentioned, a list of passages on the Boughey to Brent Hinchliffe amongst canal during May 1917 has the following Geoff Brown’s papers has the information information about J. & E. Morton: that three 57’ boats were bought by the 1/5/17: Lily John Howe LMS Railway for £471. If both items are Pool 38 Marsden to Pool 8 Milnsbridge: correct, it would mean that Mortons had Liquors & Tar at least six boats at the time they ceased trading. 16/5/17: Eleanor John Howe Pool 39 Marsden to Pool 8 Milnsbridge: Trevor Ellis Liquors & Tar

Pennine Link - 23 2013 South Pennine Ring Festival

The Rochdale Canal Festival has been Traditional horseboating demonstrations, running successfully for many years and poetry workshops, bat and nature is now part of a bigger initiative providing identification walks and much more a fantastic programme of events across will also take place, with a focus on the whole South Pennine Ring. the Rochdale Canal between 27th July and 4th August across East Manchester, The lively events include walks, talks, Oldham, Rochdale and Calderdale. canoeing, angling, cycling, family friendly events and opportunities to learn about One highlight is the Underground Walk nature and heritage. Many are free lead by the Manchester branch of the and involve local communities, like IWA through the Manchester & Salford Todmorden Lantern Parade, a magical Underground Canal Tunnel, one for twilight extravaganza with traditional intrepid canal enthusiasts and those boats and family craft workshops for interested in a unique chance to learn all ages. about a hidden industrial gem. See the website for details. Anyone organising events across the South Pennine Ring, including the Huddersfield, Peak Forest, Ashton and Rochdale Canals and the Calder & Hebble Navigation can contact Claire Teague on 07795 838335 or by email, to be included in the publicity material.

Full details of all events can be found on: www.myrochdalecanal.org.uk/category/events Email Claire Teague at [email protected] The festival has a new Facebook page and a popular twitter feed. Visit www.facebook.com/2013canalfestival or @myrochdalecanal for details.

24 - Pennine Link Stalybridge Town Team Bob Gough

The role of our local high street or town regular farmers markets and community centre goes far beyond providing a few litter-picks. All these events support the essential items of shopping in between town’s economy, whilst at the same time our regular trips to the supermarket; they publicising what the Town Team is trying are sources of local employment, provide to achieve. an important hub for social interaction And with the Canal so prominent in the and can be key indicators on the health Town Centre, the Team are organising of the local economy. a Canal Festival over the weekend of Sadly, our town centres and high streets 3rd and 4th August 2013. The Society, have been badly affected by changes keen to support local initiatives, will be to our shopping habits. Out-of-town involved by running a free Treasure Hunt shopping centres with free parking and on Sunday the 4th. Meet from 10.00am the rising trend for Internet shopping, to midday at Lock 6W, Armentières suit the busy lives of many people. Square, to collect your Hunt Map and Clues, and put your sleuthing to the test! Stalybridge Town Team was set up to address such issues and to implement The Team has gone from strength positive change in the wake of the Portas to strength over the last 12 months, Report. The team consists of local attracting interest from local businesses business representatives and residents, and organisations wishing to work in faith representatives, elected councillors partnership for the benefit of Stalybridge and council officers, all with a common and this has given the town a vibrant interest in Stalybridge and a common air with local businesses now looking desire to improve the town. positively towards the future. Stalybridge Town Team has also been Kevin Garside responsible for delivering a number of Integrated Neighbourhood events, from a Christmas ‘switch-on’ to Services Manager, East Tameside

Pennine Link - 25 Museums & Attractions Partnership Society Director, Patricia Bayley, talks about its viability and British Waterways’ about her recent appointment to the commitment, especially when it had low Museums & Attractions Partnership. visitor numbers and was competing for scarce resources needed for engineering Following my retirement from the works and maintenance. chemical industry last Autumn, Alan Stopher asked me to put my name Tourism is vital for the regeneration of forward for a position on the Museums the Colne Valley and the wider South and Attractions (M&A) Partnership of the Pennine Region since so many of the new Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT). I was textile mills have closed. Standedge interviewed at the National Waterways is an important site, attracting tourists Museum at Ellesmere Port, on a beautiful from all over the world. I think it is very afternoon in May, and am delighted to positive that CRT has moved SVC and have been accepted. Anderton Lift into a separate Museums and Attractions Group with the National I believe it is vital that we educate and Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, enthuse the younger generations to Stoke Bruerne Museum and Gloucester ensure that the canals will continue to Waterways Museum, all previously run be restored and thrive. It was through by the Waterways Trust. They can now the first visitor centre at Tunnel End benefit from shared staff and resources Cottages, (now called Standedge) and backed up by the advice of the M&A the former Museum, Partnership. that I discovered the fascinating world of canals, their history and their role in the As I write, I have not yet attended my development of the Industrial Revolution first M&A Partnership meeting, but James and the making of the modern world. Dean, the Manager at Standedge, has told me of interesting projects being Those first museum visits led to major planned, about which I hope to report in changes in my personal life too. After future editions. joining HCS, I met my partner Peter at the Huddersfield Opening Ceremony Outside my role in the Partnership, of the restored Narrow Canal in 2001. the Canal Society will be working Now we crew the Marsden Shuttle water more closely with James and staff in taxi and enjoy canal holidays together. the M&A Group, especially on the I have also been a member of the HCS joint recruitment and management Council for about three years and before of volunteers who will be increasingly that, was their Marketing Officer. important for the success of Standedge and the CRT. Since the Restoration of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal (HNC) and the opening Pedestrian counting devices at several of the Tunnel, Cottages and Warehouse points round the Centre now measure as the Standedge Visitor Centre (SVC), how many people are visiting the I have watched the development of Warehouse, the café or just walking the Attraction with interest. With my though the site on their way to the business experience, I was worried moors. This will help James identify

26 - Pennine Link how the site is being used and where improvements can be made. The Watersedge Café in the Cottages had a record week over May half term, with a 10% increase in customers and a 25% increase in takings over the previous record, following a refurbishment by local designer Janet Hagger of

Greenfusions at The Loftspace. Visitors Tricia Bayley can enjoy either the family-themed “Explorers” room (pictured right), with brightly coloured and inviting furniture, or the “Legger’s Rest” room, with more Standedge will become as famous as traditional furniture and décor, for those Betty’s at Harrogate. looking for a relaxing cup of coffee Bob Gough, our Administrator, will be and a cake. Behind the scenes, there assisting Dale Copley, the CRT curator, is an enlarged kitchen and a chef has to identify objects for the new display now been employed to produce a new cases which are to be installed in the menu, including a full afternoon tea Warehouse in early July. with Yorkshire Tea. Perhaps, one day, There is a new indoor soft play area on the ground floor (pictured left) which is popular with local families. In the attractive Loftspace on the second floor, Janet Hagger’s Greenfusions business is nearly a year old. She offers classes in a number of different crafts and regular Craft and Chat sessions - see www.greenfusions. co.uk. Her husband teaches loomknitting and finds it appeals to men who seem happier with a male tutor! When I visited one afternoon, Janet was teaching sewing skills to a class of home-schooled teenagers. Several other artists work with Janet and their creations are for sale in the Loftspace and also at the regular craft fairs. Patricia Bayley

Tricia Bayley Tricia Trustee, M & A Partnership

Pennine Link - 27 Tunnel End Cottages - 30th Anniversary

Our thanks to Society stalwart and ex-Publicity Officer, Dave Finnis, for reminding us of a forthcoming anniversary: the official opening of Tunnel End Cottages on the 10th of September 1983. The Cottages are significant in being the Society’s first HQ and, at the time, an important campaigning centre. We can do no better than quote from Dave’s background article of the time (below), published in Pennine Link, Number 53.

Opposite: A youthful David Sumner (HCS Chairman) speaks at the official opening of the Cottages. Photo: Robert Carter

tunnel end cottages Some four years ago, at a time when the Society seemed to be at a crossroads, a group met to discuss opportunities for positive restoration action. One suggestion was the scheme that has now materialised at Uppermill, while another was to save the derelict Tunnel End Cottages at Marsden. ... The attraction of the Tunnel End idea was that the cottages formed part of the most famous view of the Huddersfield Narrow - a place that attracted visitors, even in a derelict state, to see Standedge Tunnel, one of the “Wonders of the Waterways” and the highest level on the canal system. lt seemed a good point to contact people and from which to develop our campaign. A draft lease was obtained in December of 1979 and we started work on the buildings, sheeting over the windows, clearing the interior and “bodging” the roof. lt rapidly became apparent that we had a major project on our hands ... Fortunately, at this time, the West Yorkshire Countryside Rangers were on the lookout for premises in Marsden and decided to join with us in the restoration. After some delay, a Manpower Services Commission scheme was approved and work began. Now the cottages are almost ready. Finishing and decoration should be complete by September. Our exhibition to introduce people to canals, and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal as the most important canal, is being printed, and we have at least some of the exhibits we need. Already our involvement has started to pay off in the form of Local Authority interest in towpath boards, picnic sites and now the Marsden-Slaithwaite scheme. We hope to develop this towards the re-opening of Standedge Tunnel. Four years may seem a long time, but such results will be well worth it. ....

28 - Pennine Link Obituary - Geoffrey Ali Our Treasurer, Mike McHugh, writes: remember sharing a busy, friendly and enjoyable Bank Holiday together. I am sad to report the untimely death of Geoffrey Ali, our boat coordinator. I got Alan Stopher and I attended his funeral to know Geoff last year when working service which was extremely moving. on the Marsden Shuttle. Then a novice The family had provided a plate for to boating, he had a natural ability and donations which, most generously, they took to handling the boat skillfully in a sent to our Society, acknowledging remarkably short space of time. Geoff’s enjoyment of his time on the Marsden Shuttle. This year he took on coordinating our boat crews and was tackling this with He will be greatly missed. much enthusiasm. I was with Geoff on Mike McHugh his last day on the boat and will always

Geoff, on the front at Whitby

Pennine Link - 29 Street Scene Greenfield Group (SSGG) Repairs to the Greenfield Section will continue for at least another 12 of the Canal Towpath months. Improvements are already very much in evidence and numerous positive Our community project to repair the comments have been received from Greenfield section of the canal towpath cyclists and pedestrians. The Group is is gathering pace. The Canal & River committed to seeing the project through Trust kindly supplied the first 3 deliveries to the end and hope to complete the full of stone and from then on, the materials length of the Greenfield section. have been paid for out of the generous donations and grants SSGG has received, If you would like to be involved in including £500 from the Huddersfield the project, in the first instance please Canal Society. Thanks have been contact the Street Scene Co-ordinator extended to everyone for their financial Peter Lowe on 01457 870524 email: support. [email protected] or Gill McCulley on 01457 870364 email: The work, initially dogged by bad [email protected]. A list of dates weather, has been overseen by the Canal and proposed activities up until October & River Trust and by the end of May, our is available (towpath repairs/clearing enthusiastic group of volunteers had laid vegetation/litter picking etc.). some 14 tons of stone to combat some of the worst stretches. There is much Steph Pelmore more still to be done and the project

SSGG volunteers starting work on the towpath at Shaw Hall Bank, March 2013. GGRA - SSGG SSGG IS GREENFIELD-BASED COMMUNITY ACTION TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY (A sub-group of Greenfield & Grasscroft Residents Association) New Members welcome [email protected]

30 - Pennine Link Standedge & The Loft Space What’s Going on at Standedge? The heart of the project, though, is encouraging more people to get involved Passers-by and casual visitors may in creative activities. There is an ongoing have been wondering what has caused programme of one-day workshops for the sudden appearance outside the adults, children’s activities throughout Standedge Visitor Centre of flocks of the Summer holidays, and a membership multi-coloured sheep, bottle sculptures scheme for people wishing to use our and a giant spider. The answer is that Space to Create, either by arrangement the Loft Space, on the top floor of the or at regular sessions on Wednesday building, is now a hive of activity and in evenings and Thursdays. Do come and fits of exuberance, this is liable to spill look. out onto other parts of the site. Our opening times and details of what’s There are four resident businesses in the going on can be found on the Standedge Loft Space: Janet Hagger’s Greenfusions, website: www.standedge.co.uk printmaker Sharon Hockin, weaver or www.greenfusions.co.uk or on Ruth Gilbert and textile artist Anne The Loft Space Facebook page. Pennington. The sales area includes work by other local artists and makers Ruth Gilbert and a range of kits, materials and equipment. Solution to Jidoku 27 SHGATLCKB KL THBSGCA CGAKSLHB T HKSLTCABG TSBHALCKG GACKLBTSH B GKLACHST ASTHBKG C L LCSTGBH A K

MEMBERSHIP RATES COPY DATE ADVERTISING RATES Individual £9.00 Articles, letters and comments Page Per Issue Per Year Family £11.00 for Issue 183 of Pennine Link Qtr £12.50 £50.00 Life £90.00 should reach the Editor at Transhipment Warehouse, Half £25.00 £100.00 Associate £15.00 Wool Rd, Dobcross, OL3 5QR Full £50.00 £200.00 Corporate £150.00 by 30th August 2013

Pennine Link - 31